Liver cancer-related nucleic acids

ABSTRACT

Described herein are novel polynucleotides associated with liver cancer. The polynucleotides are miRNAs, miRNA precursors, and associated nucleic acids. Methods and compositions are described that can be used for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of liver cancer. Also described herein are methods that can be used to identify modulators of the disease-associated polynucleotides. Also described herein are methods and compositions for linear amplification and labeling of a targeted nucleic acid. The amplified targeted molecules may be used in hybridization techniques like Luminex and Microarray analysis.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates in general to microRNA molecules as well as various nucleic acid molecules relating thereto or derived therefrom.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short RNA oligonucleotides of approximately 22 nucleotides that are involved in gene regulation. MicroRNAs regulate gene expression by targeting mRNAs for cleavage or translational repression. Although miRNAs are present in a wide range of species including C. elegans, Drosophila and humans, they have only recently been identified. More importantly, the role of miRNAs in the development and progression of disease has only recently become appreciated. Deregulated miRNA expression is implicated in onset and progression of different diseases including, but not limited to embryonic malformations and cancers.

As a result of their small size, miRNAs have been difficult to identify using standard methodologies. A limited number of miRNAs have been identified by extracting large quantities of RNA. MiRNAs have also been identified that contribute to the presentation of visibly discernable phenotypes. Expression array data shows that miRNAs are expressed in different developmental stages or in different tissues. The restriction of miRNAs to certain tissues or at limited developmental stages indicates that the miRNAs identified to date are likely only a small fraction of the total miRNAs.

Computational approaches have recently been developed to identify the remainder of miRNAs in the genome. Tools such as MiRscan and MiRseeker have identified miRNAs that were later experimentally confirmed. Based on these computational tools, it has been estimated that the human genome contains 200-255 miRNA genes. These estimates are based on an assumption, however, that the miRNAs remaining to be identified will have the same properties as those miRNAs already identified. Based on the fundamental importance of miRNAs in mammalian biology and disease, the art needs to identify unknown miRNAs. The present invention satisfies this need and provides a significant number of miRNAs and uses thereof.

Moreover, because of their potential broad use in treating and diagnosing different diseases, there is a need in the art (yet unmet) to develop methods of identification, isolation and also quatitation of miRNAs. The present invention addresses the need by disclosing efficient and sensitive methods and compositions for isolating and quantitating miRNAs from different samples, including those wherein there is only minimum amount of a starting material available.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An isolated nucleic acid is provided. The nucleic acid may comprise a sequence of any of SEQ ID NOS: 1-8661, the complement thereof, or a sequence at least 81% identical to 21 contiguous nucleotides thereof. The nucleic acid may be from about 51 to about 250 nucleotides in length. The nucleic acid many comprise a modified base.

A probe comprising the nucleic acid is also provided. A composition comprising the probe is also provided. A biochip comprising the probe is also provided.

A method for detecting a disease-associated nucleic acid is also provided. A biological sample may be provided from which the level of a nucleic acid may be measured. The nucleic acid may comprise a sequence of any of SEQ ID NOS: 1-8661. The nucleic acid may also comprise a sequence at least about 81% identical to about 21 contiguous nucleotides of any of SEQ ID NOS: 1-8661. A level of the nucleic acid higher than that of a control may be indicative of a disease.

A method for identifying compound that modulates expression of a disease-associated miRNA is also provided. A cell is provided that is capable of expressing a nucleic acid comprising a sequence of any of SEQ ID NOS: 1-50. A cell may also be provided that is capable of expressing a nucleic acid comprising a sequence at least about 81% identical to about 21 contiguous nucleotides of any of SEQ ID NOS: 1-50. The cell may be contacted with a candidate modulator. The level of expression of the nucleic acid may then be measured. A difference in the level of the nucleic acid compared to a control identifies the compound as a modulator of expression of the miRNA.

A method of inhibiting expression of a target gene in a cell is also provided. A nucleic acid may be introduced into the cell in an amount sufficient to inhibit expression of the target gene. The target gene may comprise a binding site substantially identical to a binding site referred to in Table 4 or any of SEQ ID NOS: 51-8661. The nucleic acid may comprise a sequence of any of SEQ ID NOS: 1-50 or a variant thereof. The nucleic acid may also comprise a sequence at least about 81% identical to about 21 contiguous nucleotides of any of SEQ ID NOS: 1-50 or a variant thereof. Expression of the target gene may be inhibited in vitro or in vivo.

A method of increasing expression of a target gene in a cell is also provided. A nucleic acid may be introduced into the cell in an amount sufficient to increase expression of the target gene. The target gene may comprise a binding site substantially identical to a binding site referred to in Table 4 or any of SEQ ID NOS: 51-8661. The nucleic acid may comprise a sequence substantially complementary to any SEQ ID NOS: 1-50 or a variant thereof. The nucleic acid may also comprise a sequence substantially complementary to a sequence at least about 81% identical to about 21 contiguous nucleotides of any of SEQ ID NOS: 1-50 or a variant thereof. Expression of the target gene may be increased in vitro or in vivo.

A method of treating a patient is also provided. The patient may suffer from a disorder set forth in Table 7. The patient may be administered a composition comprising a nucleic acid. The nucleic acid may comprise a sequence of any of SEQ ID NOS: 1-50, the complement thereof, or a sequence at least 81% identical to 21 contiguous nucleotides thereof. The nucleic acid may also comprise the sequence of any of SEQ ID NOS: 1-50, the complement thereof, or a sequence at least 63% identical to 81 contiguous nucleotides thereof. The nucleic acid may be from about 51 to about 250 nucleotides in length. The nucleic acid many comprise a modified base.

Also provided is a method of detecting a target nucleic acid. The targeted nucleic acid may be any nucleic acid, such as a miRNA. A nucleic acid comprising a short RNA sequence and a DNA sequence including a T7 RNA promoter sequence, may be ligated to the miRNA molecule. Another oligonucleotide may be annealed to the T7 promoter region to enable RNA polymerase binding to the double strand. Repeated cycles of initiation and product release may then be performed. As a result a linear amplification of the transcript that includes a complementary sequence to the original natural miRNA is achieved.

During the process of transcription, nucleotides that are labeled (e.g., biotinylated) may be incorporated to the transcript, which may be useful in the later detection of the transcript by a variety of assays. In the case of target nucleic acids expressed at low level, such as miRNAs, this method may provide detection of such target nucleic acids in methods such as Luminex. Using LNA (locked nucleic acid) in the probes that are bound to the Luminex microspheres may allow even more specific hybridization and increased signal strength.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEQUENCE LISTING AND TABLES

Reference is made to the appendix submitted on the two copies of the one compact disc submitted herewith. The compact disc contains the following: SEQ_(—)01.txt (1,843 KB, May 2, 2006), which is the Sequence Listing, and the following tables: Table_(—)01.txt (2 KB, May 2, 2006), Table_(—)02.txt (4 KB, May 2, 2006), Table_(—)03.txt (1 KB, May 2, 2006), Table_(—)04.txt (193 KB, May 2, 2006), Table_(—)05.txt (137 KB, May 2, 2006), Table_(—)06.txt (5 KB, May 2, 2006), Table_(—)07.txt (1 KB, May 2, 2006), Table_(—)08.txt (233 KB, May 2, 2006), Table_(—)09.txt (163 KB, May 2, 2006), Table_(—)10.txt (4 KB, May 2, 2006), Table_(—)11.txt (17 KB, May 2, 2006), the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 demonstrates a model of maturation for miRNAs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Nucleic acids are provided related to miRNAs, precursors thereto, and targets thereof. Such nucleic acids may be useful for diagnostic and prognostic purposes, and also for modifying target gene expression. Also provided are methods and compositions that may be useful, among other things, for diagnostic and prognostic purposes. Other aspects of the invention will become apparent to the skilled artisan by the following description of the invention.

1. Definitions

Before the present compounds, products and compositions and methods are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

a. Animal

“Animal” as used herein may mean fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals, such as mice, rats, rabbits, goats, cats, dogs, cows, apes and humans.

b. Attached

“Attached” or “immobilized” as used herein to refer to a probe and a solid support may mean that the binding between the probe and the solid support is sufficient to be stable under conditions of binding, washing, analysis, and removal. The binding may be covalent or non-covalent. Covalent bonds may be formed directly between the probe and the solid support or may be formed by a cross linker or by inclusion of a specific reactive group on either the solid support or the probe or both molecules. Non-covalent binding may be one or more of electrostatic, hydrophilic, and hydrophobic interactions. Included in non-covalent binding is the covalent attachment of a molecule, such as streptavidin, to the support and the non-covalent binding of a biotinylated probe to the streptavidin. Immobilization may also involve a combination of covalent and non-covalent interactions.

c. Biological Sample

“Biological sample” as used herein may mean a sample of biological tissue or fluid that comprises nucleic acids. Such samples include, but are not limited to, tissue or fluid isolated from animals. Biological samples may also include sections of tissues such as biopsy and autopsy samples, frozen sections taken for histologic purposes, blood, plasma, serum, sputum, stool, tears, mucus, hair, and skin. Biological samples also include explants and primary and/or transformed cell cultures derived from animal or patient tissues. A biological sample may be provided by removing a sample of cells from an animal, but can also be accomplished by using previously isolated cells (e.g., isolated by another person, at another time, and/or for another purpose), or by performing the methods described herein in vivo. Archival tissues, such as those having treatment or outcome history, may also be used.

d. Complement

“Complement” or “complementary” as used herein to refer to a nucleic acid may mean Watson-Crick (e.g., A-T/U and C-G) or Hoogsteen base pairing between nucleotides or nucleotide analogs of nucleic acid molecules.

e. Differential Expression

“Differential expression” may mean qualitative or quantitative differences in the temporal and/or cellular gene expression patterns within and among cells and tissue. Thus, a differentially expressed gene may qualitatively have its expression altered, including an activation or inactivation, in, e.g., normal versus disease tissue. Genes may be turned on or turned off in a particular state, relative to another state thus permitting comparison of two or more states. A qualitatively regulated gene may exhibit an expression pattern within a state or cell type which may be detectable by standard techniques. Some genes may be expressed in one state or cell type, but not in both. Alternatively, the difference in expression may be quantitative, e.g., in that expression is modulated, either up-regulated, resulting in an increased amount of transcript, or down-regulated, resulting in a decreased amount of transcript. The degree to which expression differs need only be large enough to quantify via standard characterization techniques such as expression arrays, quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR, northern analysis, and RNase protection.

f. Gene

“Gene” used herein may be a natural (e.g., genomic) or synthetic gene comprising transcriptional and/or translational regulatory sequences and/or a coding region and/or non-translated sequences (e.g., introns, 5′- and 3′-untranslated sequences). The coding region of a gene may be a nucleotide sequence coding for an amino acid sequence or a functional RNA, such as tRNA, rRNA, catalytic RNA, siRNA, miRNA or antisense RNA. A gene may also be an mRNA or cDNA corresponding to the coding regions (e.g., exons and miRNA) optionally comprising 5′- or 3′-untranslated sequences linked thereto. A gene may also be an amplified nucleic acid molecule produced in vitro comprising all or a part of the coding region and/or 5′- or 3′-untranslated sequences linked thereto.

g. Host Cell

“Host cell” used herein may be a naturally occurring cell or a transformed cell that may contain a vector and may support replication of the vector. Host cells may be cultured cells, explants, cells in vivo, and the like. Host cells may be prokaryotic cells such as E. coli, or eukaryotic cells such as yeast, insect, amphibian, or mammalian cells, such as CHO and HeLa.

h. Identity

“Identical” or “identity” as used herein in the context of two or more nucleic acids or polypeptide sequences, may mean that the sequences have a specified percentage of residues that are the same over a specified region. The percentage may be calculated by optimally aligning the two sequences, comparing the two sequences over the specified region, determining the number of positions at which the identical residue occurs in both sequences to yield the number of matched positions, dividing the number of matched positions by the total number of positions in the specified region, and multiplying the result by 100 to yield the percentage of sequence identity. In cases where the two sequences are of different lengths or the alignment produces one or more staggered ends and the specified region of comparison includes only a single sequence, the residues of single sequence are included in the denominator but not the numerator of the calculation. When comparing DNA and RNA, thymine (T) and uracil (U) may be considered equivalent. Identity may be performed manually or by using a computer sequence algorithm such as BLAST or BLAST 2.0.

i. Label

“Label” as used herein may mean a composition detectable by spectroscopic, photochemical, biochemical, immunochemical, chemical, or other physical means. For example, useful labels include ³²P, fluorescent dyes, electron-dense reagents, enzymes (e.g., as commonly used in an ELISA), biotin, digoxigenin, or haptens and other entities which can be made detectable. A label may be incorporated into nucleic acids and proteins at any position.

j. Nucleic Acid

“Nucleic acid” or “oligonucleotide” or “polynucleotide” used herein may mean at least two nucleotides covalently linked together. The depiction of a single strand also defines the sequence of the complementary strand. Thus, a nucleic acid also encompasses the complementary strand of a depicted single strand. Many variants of a nucleic acid may be used for the same purpose as a given nucleic acid. Thus, a nucleic acid also encompasses substantially identical nucleic acids and complements thereof. A single strand provides a probe that may hybridize to a target sequence under stringent hybridization conditions. Thus, a nucleic acid also encompasses a probe that hybridizes under stringent hybridization conditions.

Nucleic acids may be single stranded or double stranded, or may contain portions of both double stranded and single stranded sequence. The nucleic acid may be DNA, both genomic and cDNA, RNA, or a hybrid, where the nucleic acid may contain combinations of deoxyribo- and ribo-nucleotides, and combinations of bases including uracil, adenine, thymine, cytosine, guanine, inosine, xanthine hypoxanthine, isocytosine and isoguanine. Nucleic acids may be obtained by chemical synthesis methods or by recombinant methods.

A nucleic acid will generally contain phosphodiester bonds, although nucleic acid analogs may be included that may have at least one different linkage, e.g., phosphoramidate, phosphorothioate, phosphorodithioate, or O-methylphosphoroamidite linkages and peptide nucleic acid backbones and linkages. Other analog nucleic acids include those with positive backbones; non-ionic backbones, and non-ribose backbones, including those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,235,033 and 5,034,506, which are incorporated by reference. Nucleic acids containing one or more non-naturally occurring or modified nucleotides are also included within one definition of nucleic acids. The modified nucleotide analog may be located for example at the 5′-end and/or the 3′-end of the nucleic acid molecule. Representative examples of nucleotide analogs may be selected from sugar- or backbone-modified ribonucleotides. It should be noted, however, that also nucleobase-modified ribonucleotides, i.e. ribonucleotides, containing a non-naturally occurring nucleobase instead of a naturally occurring nucleobase such as uridines or cytidines modified at the 5-position, e.g. 5-(2-amino)propyl uridine, 5-bromo uridine; adenosines and guanosines modified at the 8-position, e.g. 8-bromo guanosine; deaza nucleotides, e.g. 7-deaza-adenosine; O— and N-alkylated nucleotides, e.g. N6-methyl adenosine are suitable. The 2′-OH-group may be replaced by a group selected from H, OR, R, halo, SH, SR, NH₂, NHR, NR₂ or CN, wherein R is C₁-C₆ alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl and halo is F, Cl, Br or I. Modified nucleotides also include nucleotides conjugated with cholesterol through, e.g., a hydroxyprolinol linkage as described in Krutzfeldt et al., Nature (Oct. 30, 2005), Soutschek et al., Nature 432:173-178 (2004), and U.S. Patent Publication No. 20050107325, which are incorporated herein by reference. Modified nucleotides and nucleic acids may also include locked nucleic acids (LNA), as described in U.S. Patent No. 20020115080, which is incorporated herein by reference. Additional modified nucleotides and nucleic acids are described in U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 20050182005, which is incorporated herein by reference. Modifications of the ribose-phosphate backbone may be done for a variety of reasons, e.g., to increase the stability and half-life of such molecules in physiological environments, to enhance diffusion across cell membranes, or as probes on a biochip. Mixtures of naturally occurring nucleic acids and analogs may be made; alternatively, mixtures of different nucleic acid analogs, and mixtures of naturally occurring nucleic acids and analogs may be made.

k. Operably Linked

“Operably linked” used herein may mean that expression of a gene is under the control of a promoter with which it is spatially connected. A promoter may be positioned 5′ (upstream) or 3′ (downstream) of a gene under its control. The distance between the promoter and a gene may be approximately the same as the distance between that promoter and the gene it controls in the gene from which the promoter is derived. As is known in the art, variation in this distance may be accommodated without loss of promoter function.

l. Probe

“Probe” as used herein may mean an oligonucleotide capable of binding to a target nucleic acid of complementary sequence through one or more types of chemical bonds, usually through complementary base pairing, usually through hydrogen bond formation. Probes may bind target sequences lacking complete complementarity with the probe sequence depending upon the stringency of the hybridization conditions. There may be any number of base pair mismatches which will interfere with hybridization between the target sequence and the single stranded nucleic acids described herein. However, if the number of mutations is so great that no hybridization can occur under even the least stringent of hybridization conditions, the sequence is not a complementary target sequence. A probe may be single stranded or partially single and partially double stranded. The strandedness of the probe is dictated by the structure, composition, and properties of the target sequence. Probes may be directly labeled or indirectly labeled such as with biotin to which a streptavidin complex may later bind.

m. Promoter

“Promoter” as used herein may mean a synthetic or naturally-derived molecule which is capable of conferring, activating or enhancing expression of a nucleic acid in a cell. A promoter may comprise one or more specific transcriptional regulatory sequences to further enhance expression and/or to alter the spatial expression and/or temporal expression of same. A promoter may also comprise distal enhancer or repressor elements, which can be located as much as several thousand base pairs from the start site of transcription. A promoter may be derived from sources including viral, bacterial, fungal, plants, insects, and animals. A promoter may regulate the expression of a gene component constitutively, or differentially with respect to cell, the tissue or organ in which expression occurs or, with respect to the developmental stage at which expression occurs, or in response to external stimuli such as physiological stresses, pathogens, metal ions, or inducing agents. Representative examples of promoters include the bacteriophage T7 promoter, bacteriophage T3 promoter, SP6 promoter, lac operator-promoter, tac promoter, SV40 late promoter, SV40 early promoter, RSV-LTR promoter, CMV IE promoter, SV40 early promoter or SV40 late promoter and the CMV IE promoter.

n. Selectable Marker

“Selectable marker” used herein may mean any gene which confers a phenotype on a host cell in which it is expressed to facilitate the identification and/or selection of cells which are transfected or transformed with a genetic construct. Representative examples of selectable markers include the ampicillin-resistance gene (Amp^(r)), tetracycline-resistance gene (Tc^(r)), bacterial kanamycin-resistance gene (Kan^(r)), zeocin resistance gene, the AURI-C gene which confers resistance to the antibiotic aureobasidin A, phosphinothricin-resistance gene, neomycin phosphotransferase gene (nptII), hygromycin-resistance gene, beta-glucuronidase (GUS) gene, chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene, green fluorescent protein (GFP)-encoding gene and luciferase gene.

o. Stringent Hybridization Conditions

“Stringent hybridization conditions” used herein may mean conditions under which a first nucleic acid sequence (e.g., probe) will hybridize to a second nucleic acid sequence (e.g., target), such as in a complex mixture of nucleic acids. Stringent conditions are sequence-dependent and will be different in different circumstances. Stringent conditions may be selected to be about 5-10° C. lower than the thermal melting point (T_(m)) for the specific sequence at a defined ionic strength pH. The T_(m) may be the temperature (under defined ionic strength, pH, and nucleic concentration) at which 50% of the probes complementary to the target hybridize to the target sequence at equilibrium (as the target sequences are present in excess, at T_(m), 50% of the probes are occupied at equilibrium). Stringent conditions may be those in which the salt concentration is less than about 1.0 M sodium ion, such as about 0.01-1.0 M sodium ion concentration (or other salts) at pH 7.0 to 8.3 and the temperature is at least about 30° C. for short probes (e.g., about 10-50 nucleotides) and at least about 60° C. for long probes (e.g., greater than about 50 nucleotides). Stringent conditions may also be achieved with the addition of destabilizing agents such as formamide. For selective or specific hybridization, a positive signal may be at least 2 to 10 times background hybridization. Exemplary stringent hybridization conditions include the following: 50% formamide, 5×SSC, and 1% SDS, incubating at 42° C., or, 5×SSC, 1% SDS, incubating at 65° C., with wash in 0.2×SSC, and 0.1% SDS at 65° C.

p. Substantially Complementary

“Substantially complementary” used herein may mean that a first sequence is at least 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, 98% or 99% identical to the complement of a second sequence over a region of 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100 or more nucleotides, or that the two sequences hybridize under stringent hybridization conditions.

q. Substantially Identical

“Substantially identical” used herein may mean that a first and second sequence are at least 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, 98% or 99% identical over a region of 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100 or more nucleotides or amino acids, or with respect to nucleic acids, if the first sequence is substantially complementary to the complement of the second sequence.

r. Target

“Target” as used herein may mean a polynucleotide that may be bound by one or more probes under stringent hybridization conditions.

s. Terminator

“Terminator” used herein may mean a sequence at the end of a transcriptional unit which signals termination of transcription. A terminator may be a 3′-non-translated DNA sequence containing a polyadenylation signal, which may facilitate the addition of polyadenylate sequences to the 3′-end of a primary transcript. A terminator may be derived from sources including viral, bacterial, fungal, plants, insects, and animals. Representative examples of terminators include the SV40 polyadenylation signal, HSV TK polyadenylation signal, CYCl terminator, ADH terminator, SPA terminator, nopaline synthase (NOS) gene terminator of Agrobacterium tumefaciens, the terminator of the Cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) 35S gene, the zein gene terminator from Zea mays, the Rubisco small subunit gene (SSU) gene terminator sequences, subclover stunt virus (SCSV) gene sequence terminators, rho-independent E. coli terminators, and the lacZ alpha terminator.

t. Variant

“Variant” used herein to refer to a nucleic acid may mean (i) a portion of a referenced nucleotide sequence; (ii) the complement of a referenced nucleotide sequence or portion thereof; (iii) a nucleic acid that is substantially identical to a referenced nucleic acid or the complement thereof; or (iv) a nucleic acid that hybridizes under stringent conditions to the referenced nucleic acid, complement thereof, or a sequences substantially identical thereto.

u. Vector

“Vector” used herein may mean a nucleic acid sequence containing an origin of replication. A vector may be a plasmid, bacteriophage, bacterial artificial chromosome or yeast artificial chromosome. A vector may be a DNA or RNA vector. A vector may be either a self-replicating extrachromosomal vector or a vector which integrates into a host genome.

2. MicroRNA

While not being bound by theory, the current model for the maturation of mammalian miRNAs is shown in FIG. 1. A gene coding for a miRNA may be transcribed leading to production of an miRNA precursor known as the pri-miRNA. The pri-miRNA may be part of a polycistronic RNA comprising multiple pri-miRNAs. The pri-miRNA may form a hairpin with a stem and loop. As indicated on FIG. 1, the stem may comprise mismatched bases.

The hairpin structure of the pri-miRNA may be recognized by Drosha, which is an RNase III endonuclease. Drosha may recognize terminal loops in the pri-miRNA and cleave approximately two helical turns into the stem to produce a 60-70 nt precursor known as the pre-miRNA. Drosha may cleave the pri-miRNA with a staggered cut typical of RNase III endonucleases yielding a pre-miRNA stem loop with a 5′ phosphate and ˜2 nucleotide 3′ overhang. Approximately one helical turn of the stem (˜10 nucleotides) extending beyond the Drosha cleavage site may be essential for efficient processing. The pre-miRNA may then be actively transported from the nucleus to the cytoplasm by Ran-GTP and the export receptor Ex-portin-5.

The pre-miRNA may be recognized by Dicer, which is also an RNase III endonuclease. Dicer may recognize the double-stranded stem of the pre-miRNA. Dicer may also recognize the 5′ phosphate and 3′ overhang at the base of the stem loop. Dicer may cleave off the terminal loop two helical turns away from the base of the stem loop leaving an additional 5′ phosphate and ˜2 nucleotide 3′ overhang. The resulting siRNA-like duplex, which may comprise mismatches, comprises the mature miRNA and a similar-sized fragment known as the miRNA*. The miRNA and miRNA* may be derived from opposing arms of the pri-miRNA and pre-miRNA. MiRNA* sequences may be found in libraries of cloned miRNAs but typically at lower frequency than the miRNAs.

Although initially present as a double-stranded species with miRNA*, the miRNA may eventually become incorporated as a single-stranded RNA into a ribonucleoprotein complex known as the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC). Various proteins can form the RISC, which can lead to variability in specifity for miRNA/miRNA* duplexes, binding site of the target gene, activity of miRNA (repress or activate), and which strand of the miRNA/miRNA* duplex is loaded in to the RISC.

When the miRNA strand of the miRNA:miRNA* duplex is loaded into the RISC, the miRNA* may be removed and degraded. The strand of the miRNA:miRNA* duplex that is loaded into the RISC may be the strand whose 5′ end is less tightly paired. In cases where both ends of the miRNA:miRNA* have roughly equivalent 5′ pairing, both miRNA and miRNA* may have gene silencing activity.

The RISC may identify target nucleic acids based on high levels of complementarity between the miRNA and the mRNA, especially by nucleotides 2-8 of the miRNA. Only one case has been reported in animals where the interaction between the miRNA and its target was along the entire length of the miRNA. This was shown for mir-196 and Hox B8 and it was further shown that mir-196 mediates the cleavage of the Hox B8 mRNA (Yekta et al 2004, Science 304-594). Otherwise, such interactions are known only in plants (Bartel & Bartel 2003, Plant Physiol 132-709).

A number of studies have looked at the base-pairing requirement between miRNA and its mRNA target for achieving efficient inhibition of translation (reviewed by Bartel 2004, Cell 116-281). In mammalian cells, the first 8 nucleotides of the miRNA may be important (Doench & Sharp 2004 GenesDev 2004-504). However, other parts of the microRNA may also participate in mRNA binding. Moreover, sufficient base pairing at the 3′ can compensate for insufficient pairing at the 5′ (Brennecke et al, 2005 PLoS 3-e85). Computation studies, analyzing miRNA binding on whole genomes have suggested a specific role for bases 2-7 at the 5′ of the miRNA in target binding but the role of the first nucleotide, found usually to be “A” was also recognized (Lewis et at 2005 Cell 120-15). Similarly, nucleotides 1-7 or 2-8 were used to identify and validate targets by Krek et al (2005, Nat Genet 37-495).

The target sites in the mRNA may be in the 5′ UTR, the 3′ UTR or in the coding region. Interestingly, multiple miRNAs may regulate the same mRNA target by recognizing the same or multiple sites. The presence of multiple miRNA binding sites in most genetically identified targets may indicate that the cooperative action of multiple RISCs provides the most efficient translational inhibition.

MiRNAs may direct the RISC to downregulate gene expression by either of two mechanisms: mRNA cleavage or translational repression. The miRNA may specify cleavage of the mRNA if the mRNA has a certain degree of complementarity to the miRNA. When a miRNA guides cleavage, the cut may be between the nucleotides pairing to residues 10 and 11 of the miRNA. Alternatively, the miRNA may repress translation if the miRNA does not have the requisite degree of complementarity to the miRNA. Translational repression may be more prevalent in animals since animals may have a lower degree of complementarity between the miRNA and binding site.

It should be noted that there may be variability in the 5′ and 3′ ends of any pair of miRNA and miRNA*. This variability may be due to variability in the enzymatic processing of Drosha and Dicer with respect to the site of cleavage. Variability at the 5′ and 3′ ends of miRNA and miRNA* may also be due to mismatches in the stem structures of the pri-miRNA and pre-miRNA. The mismatches of the stem strands may lead to a population of different hairpin structures. Variability in the stem structures may also lead to variability in the products of cleavage by Drosha and Dicer.

3. Nucleic Acid

Nucleic acids are provided herein. The nucleic acid may comprise the sequence of SEQ ID NOS: 1-8661 or variants thereof. The variant may be a complement of the referenced nucleotide sequence. The variant may also be a nucleotide sequence that is substantially identical to the referenced nucleotide sequence or the complement thereof. The variant may also be a nucleotide sequence that hybridizes under stringent conditions to the referenced nucleotide sequence, complements thereof, or nucleotide sequences substantially identical thereto.

The nucleic acid may have a length of from 10 to 250 nucleotides. The nucleic acid may have a length of at least 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200 or 250 nucleotides. The nucleic acid may be synthesized or expressed in a cell (in vitro or in vivo) using a synthetic gene described herein. The nucleic acid may be synthesized as a single strand molecule and hybridized to a substantially complementary nucleic acid to form a duplex. The nucleic acid may be introduced to a cell, tissue or organ in a single- or double-stranded form or capable of being expressed by a synthetic gene using methods well known to those skilled in the art, including as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,506,559 which is incorporated by reference.

a. Pri-MiRNA

The nucleic acid may comprise a sequence of a pri-miRNA or a variant thereof. The pri-miRNA sequence may comprise from 45-250, 55-200, 70-150 or 80-100 nucleotides. The sequence of the pri-miRNA may comprise a pre-miRNA, miRNA and miRNA*, as set forth herein, and variants thereof. The sequence of the pri-miRNA may comprise the sequence of SEQ ID NOS: 1-25, the complement of a target gene binding site referred to in Table 4, or variants thereof.

The pri-miRNA may form a hairpin structure. The hairpin may comprise a first and second nucleic acid sequence that are substantially complementary. The first and second nucleic acid sequence may be from 37-50 nucleotides. The first and second nucleic acid sequence may be separated by a third sequence of from 8-12 nucleotides. The hairpin structure may have a free energy less than −25 Kcal/mole as calculated by the Vienna algorithm with default parameters, as described in Hofacker et al., Monatshefte f. Chemie 125: 167-188 (1994), the contents of which are incorporated herein. The hairpin may comprise a terminal loop of 4-20, 8-12 or 10 nucleotides. The pri-miRNA may comprise at least 19% adenosine nucleotides, at least 16% cytosine nucleotides, at least 23% thymine nucleotides and at least 19% guanine nucleotides.

b. Pre-MiRNA

The nucleic acid may also comprise a sequence of a pre-miRNA or a variant thereof. The pre-miRNA sequence may comprise from 45-90, 60-80 or 60-70 nucleotides. The sequence of the pre-miRNA may comprise a miRNA and a miRNA* as set forth herein, The sequence of the pre-miRNA may also be that of a pri-miRNA excluding from 0-160 nucleotides from the 5′ and 3′ ends of the pri-miRNA. The sequence of the pre-miRNA may comprise the sequence of SEQ ID NOS: 1-25, the complement of a target gene binding site referred to in Table 4, or variants thereof.

c. MiRNA

The nucleic acid may also comprise a sequence of a miRNA (including miRNA*) or a variant thereof. The miRNA sequence may comprise from 13-33, 18-24 or 21-23 nucleotides. The miRNA may also comprise a total of at least 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39 or 40 nucleotides. The sequence of the miRNA may be the first 13-33 nucleotides of the pre-miRNA. The sequence of the miRNA may also be the last 13-33 nucleotides of the pre-miRNA. The sequence of the miRNA may comprise the sequence of SEQ ID NOS: 26-50, the complement of a target gene binding site referred to in Table 4, or variants thereof.

d. Anti-MiRNA

The nucleic acid may also comprise a sequence of an anti-miRNA that is capable of blocking the activity of a miRNA or miRNA*, such as by binding to the pri-miRNA, pre-miRNA, miRNA or miRNA* (e.g. antisense or RNA silencing), or by binding to the target binding site. The anti-miRNA may comprise a total of 5-100 or 10-60 nucleotides. The anti-miRNA may also comprise a total of at least 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39 or 40 nucleotides. The sequence of the anti-miRNA may comprise (a) at least 5 nucleotides that are substantially complementary to the 5′ of a miRNA and at least 5-12 nucleotides that are substantially identical to the flanking regions of the target site from the 5′ end of the miRNA, for the purposes of binding to a miRNA and repressing its activity; or (b) at least 5-12 nucleotides that are substantially identical to the 3′ of a miRNA and at least 5 nucleotide that are substantially complementary to the flanking region of the target site from the 3′ end of the miRNA, for the purposes of inhibiting the ability of a miRNA to bind to its target. The sequence of the anti-miRNA may comprise the complement of SEQ ID NOS: 26-50, the complement of a target gene binding site referred to in Table 4, or variants thereof.

e. Binding Site of Target

The nucleic acid may also comprise a sequence of a target miRNA binding site, or a variant thereof. The target site sequence may comprise a total of 5-100 or 10-60 nucleotides. The target site sequence may also comprise a total of at least 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62 or 63 nucleotides. The target site sequence may comprise at least 5 nucleotides of the sequence of SEQ ID NOS: 26-50, or a target gene binding site referred to in Table 4.

4. Synthetic Gene

A synthetic gene is also provided comprising a nucleic acid described herein operably linked to a transcriptional and/or translational regulatory sequence. The synthetic gene may be capable of modifying the expression of a target gene with a binding site for a nucleic acid described herein. Expression of the target gene may be modified in a cell, tissue or organ. The synthetic gene may be synthesized or derived from naturally-occurring genes by standard recombinant techniques. The synthetic gene may also comprise terminators at the 3′-end of the transcriptional unit of the synthetic gene sequence. The synthetic gene may also comprise a selectable marker.

5. Vector

A vector is also provided comprising a nucleic acid described herein, such as a pri-miRNA, pre-miRNA, miRNA, anti-miRNA, target gene binding site, or synthetic gene. The vector may be an expression vector. An expression vector may comprise additional elements. For example, the expression vector may have two replication systems allowing it to be maintained in two organisms, e.g., in one host cell for expression and in a second host cell (e.g., bacteria) for cloning and amplification. For integrating expression vectors, the expression vector may contain at least one sequence homologous to the host cell genome, and preferably two homologous sequences that flank the expression construct. The integrating vector may be directed to a specific locus in the host cell by selecting the appropriate homologous sequence for inclusion in the vector. The vector may also comprise a selectable marker gene to allow the selection of transformed host cells.

6. Host Cell

A host cell is also provided comprising a vector, synthetic gene or nucleic acid described herein. The cell may be a bacterial, fungal, plant, insect or animal cell.

7. Probes

A probe is also provided comprising a nucleic acid described herein. Probes may be used for screening and diagnostic methods, as outlined below. The probe may be attached or immobilized to a solid substrate, such as a biochip.

The probe may have a length of from 8 to 500, 10 to 100 or 20 to 60 nucleotides. The probe may also have a length of at least 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 120, 140, 160, 180, 200, 220, 240, 260, 280 or 300 nucleotides. The probe may further comprise a linker sequence of from 10-60 nucleotides.

8. Biochip

A biochip is also provided. The biochip may comprise a solid substrate comprising an attached probe or plurality of probes described herein. The probes may be capable of hybridizing to a target sequence under stringent hybridization conditions. The probes may be attached at spatially defined address on the substrate. More than one probe per target sequence may be used, with either overlapping probes or probes to different sections of a particular target sequence. The probes may be capable of hybridizing to target sequences associated with a single disorder.

The probes may be attached to the biochip in a wide variety of ways, as will be appreciated by those in the art. The probes may either be synthesized first, with subsequent attachment to the biochip, or may be directly synthesized on the biochip.

The solid substrate may be a material that may be modified to contain discrete individual sites appropriate for the attachment or association of the probes and is amenable to at least one detection method. Representative examples of substrates include glass and modified or functionalized glass, plastics (including acrylics, polystyrene and copolymers of styrene and other materials, polypropylene, polyethylene, polybutylene, polyurethanes, TeflonJ, etc.), polysaccharides, nylon or nitrocellulose, resins, silica or silica-based materials including silicon and modified silicon, carbon, metals, inorganic glasses and plastics. The substrates may allow optical detection without appreciably fluorescing.

The substrate may be planar, although other configurations of substrates may be used as well. For example, probes may be placed on the inside surface of a tube, for flow-through sample analysis to minimize sample volume. Similarly, the substrate may be flexible, such as a flexible foam, including closed cell foams made of particular plastics.

The biochip and the probe may be derivatized with chemical functional groups for subsequent attachment of the two. For example, the biochip may be derivatized with a chemical functional group including, but not limited to, amino groups, carboxyl groups, oxo groups or thiol groups. Using these functional groups, the probes may be attached using functional groups on the probes either directly or indirectly using a linkers. The probes may be attached to the solid support by either the 5′ terminus, 3′ terminus, or via an internal nucleotide.

The probe may also be attached to the solid support non-covalently. For example, biotinylated oligonucleotides can be made, which may bind to surfaces covalently coated with streptavidin, resulting in attachment. Alternatively, probes may be synthesized on the surface using techniques such as photopolymerization and photolithography.

9. Expression Analysis

A method of identifying a nucleic acid associated with a disease or a pathological condition is also provided. The method comprises measuring a level of the nucleic acid in a sample that is different than the level of a control. Detection may be performed by contacting the sample with a probe or biochip described herein and detecting the amount of hybridization. PCR may be used to amplify nucleic acids in the sample, which may provide higher sensitivity.

The level of the nucleic acid in the sample may also be compared to a control cell (e.g., a normal cell) to determine whether the nucleic acid is differentially expressed (e.g., overexpressed or underexpressed). The ability to identify miRNAs that are differentially expressed in pathological cells compared to a control can provide high-resolution, high-sensitivity datasets which may be used in the areas of diagnostics, prognostics, therapeutics, drug development, pharmacogenetics, biosensor development, and other related areas. An expression profile generated by the current methods may be a “fingerprint” of the state of the sample with respect to a number of miRNAs. While two states may have any particular miRNA similarly expressed, the evaluation of a number of miRNAs simultaneously allows the generation of a gene expression profile that is characteristic of the state of the cell. That is, normal tissue may be distinguished from diseased tissue. By comparing expression profiles of tissue in known different disease states, information regarding which miRNAs are associated in each of these states may be obtained. Then, diagnosis may be performed or confirmed to determine whether a tissue sample has the expression profile of normal or disease tissue. This may provide for molecular diagnosis of related conditions.

The expression level of a disease-associated nucleic acid is information in a number of ways. For example, a differential expression of a disease-associated nucleic acid compared to a control may be used as a diagnostic that a patient suffers from the disease. Expression levels of a disease-associated nucleic acid may also be used to monitor the treatment and disease state of a patient. Furthermore, expression levels of a disease-associated miRNA may allow the screening of drug candidates for altering a particular expression profile or suppressing an expression profile associated with disease.

A target nucleic acid may be detected and levels of the target nucleic acid measured by contacting a sample comprising the target nucleic acid with a biochip comprising an attached probe sufficiently complementary to the target nucleic acid and detecting hybridization to the probe above control levels.

The target nucleic acid may also be detected by immobilizing the nucleic acid to be examined on a solid support such as nylon membranes and hybridizing a labeled probe with the sample. Similarly, the target nucleic may also be detected by immobilizing the labeled probe to a solid support and hybridizing a sample comprising a labeled target nucleic acid. Following washing to remove the non-specific hybridization, the label may be detected.

The target nucleic acid may also be detected in situ by contacting permeabilized cells or tissue samples with a labeled probe to allow hybridization with the target nucleic acid. Following washing to remove the non-specifically bound probe, the label may be detected.

These assays can be direct hybridization assays or can comprise sandwich assays, which include the use of multiple probes, as is generally outlined in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,681,702; 5,597,909; 5,545,730; 5,594,117; 5,591,584; 5,571,670; 5,580,731; 5,571,670; 5,591,584; 5,624,802; 5,635,352; 5,594,118; 5,359,100; 5,124,246; and 5,681,697, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

A variety of hybridization conditions may be used, including high, moderate and low stringency conditions as outlined above. The assays may be performed under stringency conditions which allow hybridization of the probe only to the target. Stringency can be controlled by altering a step parameter that is a thermodynamic variable, including, but not limited to, temperature, formamide concentration, salt concentration, chaotropic salt concentration pH, or organic solvent concentration.

Hybridization reactions may be accomplished in a variety of ways. Components of the reaction may be added simultaneously, or sequentially, in different orders. In addition, the reaction may include a variety of other reagents. These include salts, buffers, neutral proteins, e.g., albumin, detergents, etc. which may be used to facilitate optimal hybridization and detection, and/or reduce non-specific or background interactions. Reagents that otherwise improve the efficiency of the assay, such as protease inhibitors, nuclease inhibitors and anti-microbial agents may also be used as appropriate, depending on the sample preparation methods and purity of the target.

a. Diagnostic

A method of diagnosis is also provided. The method comprises detecting a differential expression level of a disease-associated nucleic acid in a biological sample. The sample may be derived from a patient. Diagnosis of a disease state in a patient may allow for prognosis and selection of therapeutic strategy. Further, the developmental stage of cells may be classified by determining temporarily expressed disease-associated nucleic acids.

In situ hybridization of labeled probes to tissue arrays may be performed. When comparing the fingerprints between an individual and a standard, the skilled artisan can make a diagnosis, a prognosis, or a prediction based on the findings. It is further understood that the genes which indicate the diagnosis may differ from those which indicate the prognosis and molecular profiling of the condition of the cells may lead to distinctions between responsive or refractory conditions or may be predictive of outcomes.

b. Drug Screening

A method of screening therapeutics is also provided. The method comprises contacting a pathological cell capable of expressing a disease related nucleic acid with a candidate therapeutic and evaluating the effect of a drug candidate on the expression profile of the disease associated nucleic acid. Having identified the differentially expressed nucleic acid, a variety of assays may be executed. Test compounds may be screened for the ability to modulate gene expression of the disease associated nucleic acid. Modulation includes both an increase and a decrease in gene expression.

The test compound or drug candidate may be any molecule, e.g., protein, oligopeptide, small organic molecule, polysaccharide, polynucleotide, etc., to be tested for the capacity to directly or indirectly alter the disease phenotype or the expression of the disease associated nucleic acid. Drug candidates encompass numerous chemical classes, such as small organic molecules having a molecular weight of more than 100 and less than about 500, 1,000, 1,500, 2,000 or 2,500 daltons. Candidate compounds may comprise functional groups necessary for structural interaction with proteins, particularly hydrogen bonding, and typically include at least an amine, carbonyl, hydroxyl or carboxyl group, preferably at least two of the functional chemical groups. The candidate agents may comprise cyclical carbon or heterocyclic structures and/or aromatic or polyaromatic structures substituted with one or more of the above functional groups. Candidate agents are also found among biomolecules including peptides, saccharides, fatty acids, steroids, purines, pyrimidines, derivatives, structural analogs or combinations thereof.

Combinatorial libraries of potential modulators may be screened for the ability to bind to the disease associated nucleic acid or to modulate the activity thereof. The combinatorial library may be a collection of diverse chemical compounds generated by either chemical synthesis or biological synthesis by combining a number of chemical building blocks such as reagents. Preparation and screening of combinatorial chemical libraries is well known to those of skill in the art. Such combinatorial chemical libraries include, but are not limited to, peptide libraries encoded peptides, benzodiazepines, diversomers such as hydantoins, benzodiazepines and dipeptide, vinylogous polypeptides, analogous organic syntheses of small compound libraries, oligocarbamates, and/or peptidyl phosphonates, nucleic acid libraries, peptide nucleic acid libraries, antibody libraries, carbohydrate libraries, and small organic molecule libraries.

10. Gene Silencing

A method of reducing expression of a target gene in a cell, tissue or organ is also provided. Expression of the target gene may be reduced by expressing a nucleic acid described herein that comprises a sequence substantially complementary to one or more binding sites of the target mRNA. The nucleic acid may be a miRNA or a variant thereof. The nucleic acid may also be pri-miRNA, pre-miRNA, or a variant thereof, which may be processed to yield a miRNA. The expressed miRNA may hybridize to a substantially complementary binding site on the target mRNA, which may lead to activation of RISC-mediated gene silencing. An example for a study employing over-expression of miRNA is Yekta et al 2004, Science 304-594, which is incorporated herein by reference. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the nucleic acids described herein may also be used to inhibit expression of target genes or inhibit activity of miRNAs using antisense methods well known in the art, as well as RNAi methods described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,506,559 and 6,573,099, which are incorporated by reference.

The target of gene silencing may be a protein that causes the silencing of a second protein. By repressing expression of the target gene, expression of the second protein may be increased. Examples for efficient suppression of miRNA expression are the studies by Esau et al 2004 JBC 275-52361; and Cheng et al 2005 Nucleic Acids Res. 33-1290, which is incorporated herein by reference.

11. Gene Enhancement

A method of increasing expression of a target gene in a cell, tissue or organ is also provided. Expression of the target gene may be increased by expressing a nucleic acid described herein that comprises a sequence substantially complementary to a pri-miRNA, pre-miRNA, miRNA or a variant thereof. The nucleic acid may be an anti-miRNA. The anti-miRNA may hybridize with a pri-miRNA, pre-miRNA or miRNA, thereby reducing its gene repression activity. Expression of the target gene may also be increased by expressing a nucleic acid that is substantially complementary to a portion of the binding site in the target gene, such that binding of the nucleic acid to the binding site may prevent miRNA binding.

12. Therapeutic

A method of modulating a disease or disorder associated with developmental dysfunctions is also provided. The disease or disorder may be cancer, such as prostate or liver cancer. In general, the nucleic acid molecules described herein may be used as a modulator of the expression of genes which are at least partially complementary to said nucleic acid. Further, miRNA molecules may act as target for therapeutic screening procedures, e.g. inhibition or activation of miRNA molecules might modulate a cellular differentiation process, e.g. proliferation or apoptosis.

Furthermore, existing miRNA molecules may be used as starting materials for the manufacture of sequence-modified miRNA molecules, in order to modify the target-specificity thereof, e.g. an oncogene, a multidrug-resistance gene or another therapeutic target gene. Further, miRNA molecules can be modified, in order that they are processed and then generated as double-stranded siRNAs which are again directed against therapeutically relevant targets. Furthermore, miRNA molecules may be used for tissue reprogramming procedures, e.g. a differentiated cell line might be transformed by expression of miRNA molecules into a different cell type or a stem cell.

13. Compositions

A pharmaceutical composition is also provided. The composition may comprise a nucleic acid described herein and optionally a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The compositions may be used for diagnostic or therapeutic applications. The pharmaceutical composition may be administered by known methods, including wherein a nucleic acid is introduced into a desired target cell in vitro or in vivo. Commonly used gene transfer techniques include calcium phosphate, DEAE-dextran, electroporation, microinjection, viral methods and cationic liposomes.

14. Kits

A kit is also provided comprising a nucleic acid described herein together with any or all of the following: assay reagents, buffers, probes and/or primers, and sterile saline or another pharmaceutically acceptable emulsion and suspension base. In addition, the kits may include instructional materials containing directions (e.g., protocols) for the practice of the methods described herein.

15. Method of Synthesis

A method of synthesizing the reverse-complement of a target nucleic acid is also provided. The reverse complement may be synthesized according to methods outlined in U.S. patent Ser. No. 11/384,049, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

16. Method of Detection

A method of detecting a target nucleic acid in a biological sample is also provided. The target nucleic acid may be detected according to methods outlined in U.S. patent Ser. No. 11/384,049, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

EXAMPLE 1 Prediction of MiRNAs

We surveyed the entire human genome for potential miRNA coding genes using computational approaches similar to those described in U.S. Patent Application Nos. 60/522,459, Ser. No. 10/709,577 and Ser. No. 10/709,572, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, for predicting miRNAs. Briefly, non-protein coding regions of the entire human genome were scanned for hairpin structures. The predicted hairpins and potential miRNAs were scored by thermodynamic stability, as well as structural and contextual features. The algorithm was calibrated by using miRNAs in the Sanger Database which had been validated.

Table 1 lists the SEQ ID NO for each predicted hairpin (“HID”) from the computational screen. Table 1 also lists the genomic location for each hairpin (“Hairpin Location”). The format for the genomic location is a concatenation of <chr_id><strand><start position>. For example, 19+135460000 refers chromosome 19, +strand, start position 135460000. Chromosomes 23-25 refer to chromosome X, chromosome Y and mitochondrial DNA, respectively. The chromosomal location is based on the hg17 assembly of the human genome by UCSC (http://genome.ucsc.edu), which is based on NCBI Build 35 version 1 (35.1) and was produced by the International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium.

Table 1 also lists whether the hairpin is conserved in evolution (“C”). The hairpins were identified as conserved (“Y”) or nonconserved (“N”) by using phastCons data. The phastCons data is a measure of evolutionary conservation for each nucleotide in the human genome against the genomes of chimp, mouse, rat, dog, chicken, frog, and zebrafish, based on a phylo-HMM using best-in-genome pair wise alignment for each species based on BlastZ, followed by multiZ alignment of the 8 genomes (Siepel et al, J. Comput. Biol 11, 413-428, 2004 and Schwartz et al., Genome Res. 13, 103-107, 2003). A hairpin is listed as conserved if the average phastCons conservation score over the 7 species in any 15 nucleotide sequence within the hairpin stem is at least 0.9 (Berezikov, E. et al. Phylogenetic Shadowing and Computational Identification of Human microRNA Genes. Cell 120, 21-24, 2005).

Table 1 also lists the genomic type for each hairpin (“T”) as either intergenic (“G”), intron (“I”) or exon (“E”). Table 1 also lists the SEQ ID NO (“MID”) for each predicted miRNA and miRNA*. Table 1 also lists the prediction score grade for each hairpin (“P”) on a scale of 0-1 (1 the hairpin is the most reliable), as described in Hofacker et al., Monatshefte f. Chemie 125: 167-188, 1994. If the grade is zero or null, they are transformed to the lower value of PalGrade that its p-value is <0.05. Table 1 also lists the p-value (“Pval”) calculated out of background hairpins for the values of each P scores. As shown in Table 1, there are few instances where the Pval is >0.05. In each of these cases, the hairpins are highly conserved or they have been validated (F=Y).

Table 1 also lists whether the miRNAs were validated by expression analysis (“E”); this column was intentionally left blank. Table 1 also lists whether the miRNAs were validated by sequencing (“S”) (Y=Yes, N=No). If there was a difference in sequences between the predicted and sequenced miRNAs, the sequenced sequence is predicted. It should be noted that failure to sequence or detect expression of a miRNA does not necessarily mean that a miRNA does not exist. Such undetected miRNAs may be expressed in tissues other than those tested. In addition, such undetected miRNAs may be expressed in the test tissues, but at a difference stage or under different condition than those of the experimental cells.

Table 1 also lists whether the miRNAs were shown to be differentially expressed (“D”) (Y=Yes, N=No) in at least one disease, as detailed in Table 2. Table 1 also lists whether the miRNAs were present (“F”) (Y=Yes, N=No) in Sanger DB Release 8 (February 2005) (http://nar.oupjournals.org/) as being detected in humans or mice or predicted in humans. As discussed above, the miRNAs listed in the Sanger database are a component of the prediction algorithm and a control for the output.

Table 1 also lists a genetic location cluster (“LC”) for those hairpins that are within 5,000 nucleotides of each other. Each miRNA that has the same LC share the same genetic cluster. Table 1 also lists a seed cluster (“SC”) to group miRNAs by their seed of 2-7 by an exact match. Each miRNA that has the same SC have the same seed. For a discussion of seed lengths of 5-6 nucleotides being sufficient for miRNA activity, see Lewis et al., Cell, 120;15-20 (2005).

EXAMPLE 2 Prediction of Target Genes

The predicted miRNAs from the computational screen of Example 1 were then used to predict target genes and their binding sites using two computational approaches similar to those described in U.S. Patent Application Nos. 60/522,459, Ser. No. 10/709,577 and Ser. No. 10/709,572, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, for predicting miRNAs.

Table 4 lists the predicted target gene for each miRNA (MID) and its hairpin (HID) from the computational screen. The names of the target genes were taken from NCBI Reference Sequence release 16 (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov; Pruitt et al., Nucleic Acids Res, 33 (1):D501-D504, 2005; Pruitt et al., Trends Genet., 16(1):44-47, 2000; and Tatusova et al., Bioinformatics, 15(7-8):536-43, 1999). Target genes were identified by having a perfect complementary match of a 7 nucleotide miRNA seed (positions 2-8) that have an “A” after the seed on the UTR and/or an exact match in the nucleotide before the seed (total=8 nucleotides). For a discussion on identifying target genes, see Lewis et al., Cell, 120: 15-20, (2005). For a discussion of the seed being sufficient for binding of a miRNA to a UTR, see Lim Lau et al., (Nature 2005) and Brenneck et al, (PLoS Biol 2005).

Binding sites were then predicted using a filtered target genes dataset by including only those target genes that contained a UTR of a least 30 nucleotides. The binding site screen only considered the longest transcript when there were several transcripts per gene. A total of 16,656 transcripts were included in the dataset. Table 4 lists the SEQ ID NO for the predicted binding sites for each target gene as predicted from each miRNA (“MID”). The sequence of the binding site includes the 20 nucleotides 5′ and 3′ of the binding site. If the binding site encompasses 2 exons, the sequence includes 20 nucleotides 5′ and 3′ of the binding site, as the ends are situated on the spliced mRNA.

Table 5 shows the relationship between the miRNAs (“MID”)/hairpins (“HID”) and diseases by their target genes. The name of diseases are taken from OMIM. For a discussion of the rational for connecting the host gene the hairpin is located upon to disease, see Baskerville and Bartel, RNA, 11: 241-247 (2005) and Rodriguez et al., Genome Res., 14: 1902-1910 (2004). Table 5 shows the number of miRNA target genes (“N”) that are related to the disease. Table 5 also shows the total number of genes that are related to the disease (“T”), which is taken from the genes that were predicted to have binding sites for miRNAs. Table 5 also shows the percentage of N out of T (“P”) and the p-value of hypergeometric analysis (“Pval”). Table 8 shows the disease codes for the diseases described in Table 5 and Tables 9-11. For a reference of hypergeometric analysis, see Schaum's Outline of Elements of Statistics II: Inferential Statistics.

Table 9 shows the relationship between the target sequences (“Gene Name”) and disease (“Disease Code”).

Table 10 shows the relationship between the miRNAs (“MID”)/hairpins (“HID”), known SNPs and diseases. SNP were identified in the sequence of hairpins. For the miRNAs of these hairpins, all their target genes listed in Table 4 were collected. For these genes, we checked whether they are associates to disease(s) according to OMIM. The numeric code of the relevant diseases for each miRNA according to Table 9 are presented in Table 10. The disease codes are taken from Table 8. If a target gene was not related to a disease in Table 9, SNP data is not presented. Each SNP (“SNP_Id”) is identified based on NCBI database dbSNP BUILD 124 based on NCBI Human Genome Build 35.1. The genomic location for each SNP (“SNP_location”) is also provided in a formation concatenating “<chr_id>:<start position>”. For example, “19:135460569” means chr19 +strand, start position 135460569. Although the mutations are referred to as SNPs, a number of the mutations cover a few nucleotides (e.g., small insertions, deletions, micro-satellites, etc.) For a discussion on the connection between a SNP and disease, see Swibertus (Blood 1996) and Frittitta (Diabetes 2001).

Table 11 shows the relationship between miRNAs (“MID”), hairpins (“HID”), SNP identification number (“SNP_Id”), SNP location (“SNP_location”), genes and diseases. SNP identification and location are defined as described for Table 10. The SNPs listed are only those that are located in a miRNA target gene known to be associated with a disease in the OMIM database. “Gene” indicates the name of the gene in which the SNP is located.

EXAMPLE 3 Differential Expression of miRNAs

1. Sequencing

To validate the hairpins (“HID”), a number of miRNAs were evaluated by sequencing methods similar to those described in U.S. Patent Application Nos. 60/522,459, Ser. No. 10/709,577 and Ser. No. 10/709,572, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Table 3 shows the hairpins (“HID”) that were validated by sequencing a miRNA (“MID”) in the indicated tissue (“Tissue”). Numeric codes for the tissues are shown in Table 6.

2. Differential Expression

To confirm the hairpins and miRNAs predicted in Example 1, we detected expression in various tissues (versus controls) using the high-throughput microarrays similar to those described in U.S. Patent Application Nos. 60/522,459, Ser. No. 10/709,577 and Ser. No. 10/709,572, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Microarray images were analyzed using Feature Extraction Software (Version 7.1.1, Agilent).

Differential expression of the miRNAs was then analyzed in various disease tissues using similar methods described above. Table 2 shows the ratio of disease related expression (“R”) compared to normal tissues for the indicated diseases. Disease codes for the disease are shown in Table 7. Table 2 also shows the statistical analysis of the normalized signal (“RPval”). The signal of each probe was set as its median intensity. Signal intensities range from background level of 400 to saturating level of 66,000. 2 channels hybridization was performed and Cy3 signals were compared to Cy5 signals, where fluor reversed chip was preformed (normal vs. disease), probe signal was set to be its average signal. Signals were normalized by first performing a logarithmic transformation (log2), followed by adapting a polynomic graph of the second degree. Following normalization, a t-test for each miRNA and disease was performed. P values were estimated based on the occurrences of such or greater signal ratios over duplicated experiments. miRNAs with a p value <0.05 are shown in Table 2. The total number of samples (“N”) used for each analysis is also shown in Table 2. The differential expression analysis in Table 2 indicates that the expression of a number of the miRNAs is significantly altered in disease tissue. 

1. An isolated nucleic acid comprising a sequence selected from the group consisting of: (a) SEQ ID NO; (b) complement of (a); and (c) sequence at least about 81% identical to 21 contiguous nucleotides of (a) or (b), wherein the nucleic acid is from 17-250 nucleotides in length.
 2. The nucleic acid of claim 1 wherein the nucleic acid comprises a modified base.
 3. A probe comprising the nucleic acid of claim
 2. 4. The probe of claim 3, wherein the nucleic acid is a miRNA.
 5. A plurality of probes according to claim
 3. 6. The plurality of probes of claim 5, wherein the probes comprise nucleic acid sequences associated with liver cancer, as designated in Table
 2. 7. A biochip comprising the probe of claim
 3. 8. A biochip comprising the plurality of probes of claim
 5. 9. A method for detecting a disease-associated nucleic acid comprising: (a) providing a biological sample; and (b) measuring the level of a nucleic acid according to claim 1, wherein a level of the nucleic acid different from a control is indicative of a disease-associated nucleic acid.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the disease is liver cancer.
 11. A method for identifying a compound that modulates expression of a disease-associated miRNA: (a) providing a cell that is capable of expressing a nucleic acid according to claim 1; (b) contacting the cell with a candidate modulator; and (c) measuring the level of expression of the nucleic acid, wherein a difference in the level of the nucleic acid compared to a control identifies the compound as a modulator of expression of the miRNA.
 12. A method of inhibiting expression of a target gene in a cell comprising introducing a nucleic acid into the cell in an amount sufficient to inhibit expression of the target gene, wherein the target gene comprises a binding site substantially identical to a binding site referred to in Table 4 or any one of SEQ ID NOS 51-8661, and wherein the nucleic acid is a nucleic acid according to claim
 1. 13. The method of claim 12 wherein expression is inhibited in vitro or in vivo.
 14. A method of increasing expression of a target gene in a cell comprising introducing a nucleic acid into the cell in an amount sufficient to increase expression of the target gene, wherein the target gene comprises a binding site substantially identical to a binding site referred to in Table 4 or any one of SEQ ID NOS 51-8661, wherein the nucleic acid comprises a sequence substantially complementary to a nucleic acid according to claim
 1. 15. The method of claim 14 wherein expression is increased in vitro or in vivo.
 16. A method of treating a patient with a disorder set forth on Table 8 comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a composition comprising the nucleic acid of claim
 1. 